A north-east bank which shut its doors amid a controversial string of closures last year could be brought back to life as a “Greggs-style” sandwich bar and take-away food outlet.
The Royal Bank of Scotland at Dyce was one of several branches the firm axed in 2018, and it closed for the final time that May despite local protests.
The Aberdeen-based West Coast Estates Ltd has now lodged plans to return its two units to use as separate food and drink outlets – speculating that one could be a sandwich shop akin to Greggs and the other a takeaway.
The building sits next to the old BP headquarters site, which is now home to hundreds of new flats and houses.
And in February, plans for 283 new affordable homes on the flattened BP car park and Excel Sports Club site were also approved.
In its planning application, West Coast Estates Ltd said it was applying “speculatively” to attract prospective tenants for the two empty units.
An outdoor seating area has also been planned on the Wellheads Road side of the property.
Despite campaigns to save the rural banking branches from being axed, several closed last year.
Plans to resurrect empty bank buildings in Turriff, Huntly, Bridge of Don and Banff are also being considered.
The former bank on Ellon Road in Bridge of Don could be turned into four new flats after George Hadden Architectural Agent submitted the plans on behalf of David Ross.
Under the proposals, the ground floor would be turned into two two-bedroom flats, both with their own entrances, and a stairway would allow access to the first floor, which would be turned into two one-bedroom properties.
The Huntly and District Development Trust has been granted permission to convert the former RBS in the town into a community facility.
Proposals for a restaurant and takeaway business for the old branch on the High Street in Turriff have recently been tabled by Glasgow-based Bennett Developments.
And the former Banff branch could now become a new tourism centre for the area after the lease for the B-Listed building was secured by travel and tourism graduate Michelle Cameron.